Executive Director for Special Education

Academy School District 20; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy School District 20 seeks an executive leader to oversee district-wide Special Education services, budget, and operations. The role administers applicable laws, policies, and practices, guiding staff and administrators to ensure compliant, effective programs.

The position emphasizes collaboration with curriculum leaders, school administrators, and external agencies to align services with student needs and district priorities.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership for district-wide Special Education services, budget and operations, staff members; responsible for the administration of all applicable Special Education laws, policies, procedures, and practices.

Responsibilities

• Reports consistently for work as scheduled
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
• Assists in recruitment and selection of Special Education and related student support staff and develops and maintains staffing structures that support programmatic needs, student enrollment, service requirements, and organizational priorities
• Collaborates with directors and leaders for curriculum and instruction, assessment, professional learning, and other departments to coordinate intervention processes, instructional supports, assessment practices, and services addressing the unique learning needs of students with disabilities
• Collaborates with principals in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating Special Education services and programs and provides technical assistance and professional guidance to school leaders and staff
• Collaboratively develops, allocates, monitors, and manages the Special Education budget, ensuring resources are aligned with student needs, organizational priorities, and applicable fiscal requirements
• Communicates regularly with building administrators, the Special Education leadership team, and Learning Services leadership team to ensure alignment, consistency, collaboration, and effective implementation of Special Education programs and services
• Coordinates with the Colorado Department of Education and other agencies regarding monitoring, corrective actions, reporting, compliance matters, and other regulatory requirements
• Develops and implements professional learning offerings related to Special Education, specialized instruction, health and safety, behavior support, compliance, and other areas of student need to increase staff and administrator expertise
• Develops and maintains partnerships with parents, students, community agencies, and community members to support the unique needs and educational rights of students with disabilities and ensure meaningful participation in educational decision-making
• Ensures ongoing compliance with all laws, rules, regulations Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal requirements related to Special Education and related student services
• Leads and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration, partnering closely

Job description

Location

EAC (Education and Administration Center)

Recruiting Start Date

10/12/2026

Estimated Start Date

11/13/2026

Location

EAC (Education and Administration Center)

Recruiting Start Date

10/12/2026

Estimated Start Date

11/13/2026

Provides executive leadership for district-wide Special Education services, budget and operations, staff members; responsible for the administration of all applicable Special Education laws, policies, procedures, and practices; directs and manages Special Education administrators and staff members; provides support for school-based administrators and other staff members.

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

• Reports consistently for work as scheduled
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
• Assists in recruitment and selection of Special Education and related student support staff and develops and maintains staffing structures that support programmatic needs, student enrollment, service requirements, and organizational priorities
• Collaborates with directors and leaders for curriculum and instruction, assessment, professional learning, and other departments to coordinate intervention processes, instructional supports, assessment practices, and services addressing the unique learning needs of students with disabilities
• Collaborates with principals in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating Special Education services and programs and provides technical assistance and professional guidance to school leaders and staff
• Collaboratively develops, allocates, monitors, and manages the Special Education budget, ensuring resources are aligned with student needs, organizational priorities, and applicable fiscal requirements
• Communicates regularly with building administrators, the Special Education leadership team, and Learning Services leadership team to ensure alignment, consistency, collaboration, and effective implementation of Special Education programs and services
• Coordinates with the Colorado Department of Education and other agencies regarding monitoring, corrective actions, reporting, compliance matters, and other regulatory requirements
• Develops and implements professional learning offerings related to Special Education, specialized instruction, health and safety, behavior support, compliance, and other areas of student need to increase staff and administrator expertise
• Develops and maintains partnerships with parents, students, community agencies, and community members to support the unique needs and educational rights of students with disabilities and ensure meaningful participation in educational decision-making
• Ensures ongoing compliance with all laws, rules, regulations Board of Education policies, and applicable state and federal requirements related to Special Education and related student services
• Leads and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration, partnering closely